Sunderland flop Emanuele Giaccherini has yet another new suitor after Sampdoria joined the race for the Italian international.

The 31-year-old joined the Black Cats in a £6 million move from Juventus in 2014.

But he struggled to make an impact on Wearside and was loaned to Bologna last season.

Back in Serie A, Giaccherini rediscovered the form - scoring seven goals in 28 appearances - that had made him a regular for the Azzurri, and he was included in Antonio Conte’s squad for the forthcoming European Championships in France.

With a year left to run on his contract at the Stadium of Light, the midfielder has expressed a desire to remain at Bologna.

But his agent Furio Valcareggi said last week that the player is more likely to opt for Fiorentina or Torino, both of whom have registered an interest.

Now, sources in Italy claim Sampdoria have also entered the race for Giaccherini, with some reports suggesting negotiations have already begun.

Sam Allardyce is keen to overhaul his squad and avoid another year spent battling against relegation.

And the Sunderland boss may be willing to let Giaccherini leave the club for a fee of around £2 million to raise funds towards buying players, rather than risk losing the Italian on a free transfer next summer.